Dedicated to Ancaster

marriedtothesea.com

Publicly

I would like to publicly thank my brother for giving me a copy of Blades of Glory for Christmas. It has already provided hours of entertainment.

Possibly My Fav Holiday Pic

Grandpa Stewart and two year old great-granddaughter Leah:

Christmas Morning

a little something i got in my stocking this morning...

John - Not Only Leprechaun, But A Brother ** was supposed to get posted on December 6

Today is my wee brother's birthday. He is 24. He is getting old. He lives in Whistler now. I miss him. He will not be coming home for Christmas. I am sad about that. I will miss our annual trek to a local pub to just catch up and vent and be. I will miss fighting with him about how much time he isn't spending at home, and how he isn't helping with supper, how he needs to get off the computer, etc. I will miss Dad complaining about the rapid consumption of whiskey. I will miss the onslaught of his friends (that I also grew up with) coming over. I will miss wrestling with him, and the responses of Mom and the cats to that wrestling. I will miss all the new music he would expose me too. I will miss watching movies with him. I will miss tobogganing with him, visiting Grandma and Grandpa with him, having his presence around when we go to see our other Grandparents, playing global warming games of catch with him. I will miss his big, hairy, brother hugs.

Happy birthday brother. You are most definitely loved and missed.



Oh yeah. I forgot the other part of this while I was in the middle of being emotional...

John has a new job in Whistler. He works at the Whistler Sliding Center - that is where the bobsled and luge and skeleton happen. He works on the track there. If you go here you can look pictures of the track. While you're looking at those pictures you'll see one of two guys in a bobsled and outside of the track two guys with swiss type coats on. In that picture it says that its Pierre Lueders and Justin Kripps. But its not says John, its the head coach of the bobsled team and John. Pretty cool.

John has also luged - been on a luge. Yeah, however you say that...



(writing on the correct date now)

Its Christmas Eve - we go to church - Mom and Dad are in the choir, which means with no sibling around I'm going to have to sit by myself or with some random person i see 4 times a year. Also, with a Wii around a brother would help to play with, or for mixing drinks, skating on the driveway, doing dishes, and all the other things listed in the above paragraphs.

Not having your little brother home for Christmas is not fair.

Hilarity Is....

...when the notorious B.E.V meets a Wii (and cow racing).

Does Your Family Do This?

We have a lot of Christmas CDs that are made up of "various artists". We have a similar collection of cassettes. When we listen to these collections we try to identify the very random selection of people or groups who are singing these holiday favourites. This tradition continued with Christmas music I had put on my ipod for our drive to Ottawa and back on Friday.

This game is good for both the parents and the kids as the collections transcend many generations of music and is a good tool for developing one's ear.

I just wondered if anybody else's family played "Name That Tune - Christmas Edition".

Wii

Has anyone in the Quinte - Northumberland area (or passing through this area) got a Wii they'd let my Dad and I use for a few days?

Dashing Through The Snow

We went tobogganing. I think Chelsea had a good time.

(Warning this video may not be suitable for work as it contains the word 'ass')

The Updating...

Please welcome:



Matteo Junior - (or MatteJ (pronounced mattay-J) as I'm calling him) - son of Mary Eva



Matteo Sr is very proud.

2 Things I Learned This Morning

1. Drew Carey is a terrible Price Is Right host
2. The dark ages of only fighting wrinkles are over.
   

Calf Count

There are 10 cows scheduled to calve between Dec 14 and Jan 3. This morning 2 of them came, they were heifers (that means girls, which is a good thing). I will try to a) keep you updated on these calves as they come and b) get another video like last year's (mostly for this guy, 'cause it made him so nauseous).f

I'm Not A Dwarf, I'm A Girl

Writing Exams Means...

• not showering
• forgetting what a balanced meal looks like
• feeling jet lag all the time
• suddenly everything, e v e r y t h i n g is your hobby, or at least your distraction
• bed sores from sitting so much
• leaving the house is a big deal
• a fleeting sense of care
• self diagnosed carpel tunnel syndrome
• rituals
• alsdkfjasldkfjasl;dkfja;sldkdkjffsldkkfjfjasldkfjfjasl;dkdfjsiufuweoijadnlaskmlskjeoiure
• you want Jesus to come back so you can stop studying, or if He wants to come back during the exam, thats ok too!
  

Disheartening

Sometimes you get up real early to finish your last piece of school work, so that it can be out of the way, so that you can study for your last exam. Sometimes you get up real early to read about how there is a winter storm watch for your area and how at the precise time you want to leave the area to go home for Christmas because you are done school for the semester - there is supposed to be 25cm of snow coming down and travel is not recommended. 'Cause I don't want to stay longer. I want to finish that exam, get in my car, drive to Richmond Hill, drop things off and then get my bad self to Brighton. I have been holding on for that plan. In my head there is no plan for, "stay put and leave on Sunday when things are better". I'm operating on a distinct action/reward system here - write another paragraph, get a piece of licorice; finish your semester, get your ass home.

Winter, if you wreck one more thing, oh son, we are going to have words.

You May Want To Repent, I Think Jesus Is Coming Back Soon

My Mom just told me that the Walmart in Trenton is going to be open 24hrs starting this weekend for the rest of the holiday season.

Of The Three

I felt Jenah should have won.

Yup.

I Actually Said This Today

"You're too young to understand the complicated love between a mature woman and a dead reformer."

I Fell For It

Sometimes when you put 'bean' in front of something it makes it sound so much better than it might ordinarily be.

Case in point - vanilla bean ice cream - the mere presence of little black flecks and a stronger vanilla flavour has me absolutely convinced that this ice cream is far superior to any other kind I could put in my mouth.

The same principle holds true for hot chocolate and lattes.

Excited

Sometimes I'm excited to see my parents. They are coming on Friday. And since I only went home for one weekend and one 24hr quickie this semester, well, I just miss them. They leave on Saturday and then a week after that I will leave to go home for a few weeks. Then I'll have a lot of loving. We all know I love loving.

Things I Like

• a garage
• a dishwasher
• a washer and a dryer
• a professional series ceramic top convection oven
• a pillow top bed

...drool, i'm such a consumer wanna-be.

FYI

I'm house sitting in Ancaster from Sunday afternoon until the following Saturday afternoon. So if you're trying to get a hold of me its best to do it electronically or via my cell.

A Nice Thing To Think About

You Are Lemon Meringue Pie

You're the perfect combo of sassy and sweet. You always know how to brighten someone's mood, but you're not overly sappy. In fact, you can be a bit too honest at times. And most people find that refreshing. While you're always true to yourself, you keep things light. That's how people are able to stomach your slightly bitter outlook. Those who like you have well refined tastes. You're complicated - and let's face it - a true enigma. You enjoy defying expectations, and there are many layers to your personality. There's not one easy way to define you.

What Kind of Pie Are You?

Slightly ironic because I'm not really supposed to have lemon meringue pie because of its citrus content.

Just In Case...

Just in case you thought you might be bored next weekend:

Friday, December 7 - Redeemer Concert Choir and Sinfonia - Christmas concert - 8pm in the auditorium

Saturday, December 8 - Chelsea Schinkel's senior art exhibit Marked Places - 7/8pm in the art gallery

Sunday, December 9 - Church in the Box, featuring responses from John Terpstra, Dr. D. Bowen, Dr. D. Zietsma, Jeanette Lodewyks, and Micah Van Dijk

The Elevator

So I've been living in this apartment building since August. I take the elevator at least twice a day to get either down to my car or up to my apartment. And I just wanted to share one of my little observances on humanity.

Nobody seems to press the elevator buttons the same way. I just walk in, press the button for the floor I need and I'm done. But this does not seem to be enough for other people. Some come in and hit the button 5 times and then stop. While others hit their floor and then as soon as someone else presses their floor number they have to go back and hit their's again. There is a variant on that one - when a floor has been reached by the elevator and someone gets off the person hits their number again, in case the elevator forgot. Just all kinds of little quirks that are second nature to their owners.

You Wanna Bet I Am!

toothpastefordinner.com

A Question Brought On By The Temperature Drop

What makes a more realistic puppet?
	A sock
	A mitten
Free polls from Pollhost.com

Language

If you're somewhere around my age - which is mid-twenties - then you're probably familiar with the term "love language". There is a book about some of this stuff. I haven't read it. The term was introduced to me in my late teens/early twenties by some YFC peeps.

Lately I've been doing some thinking about love and love languages. I guess I should kind of spell out my understanding of love language. I interpret a love language to be one of the ways in which you speak love. For instance, touch is a love language of mine. I speak love to you through touch. Another way I show love is in details. I express my love by remembering little details - like that you really enjoy dark chocolate, or Golden Grahams, steak, long walks in autumn, gummies, cake, action movies, etc.

It is said that we love the way we want to be loved. At least for those of us who are free enough to express love. Those that aren't... well that's a whole are post. And if we love the way we want to be loved, then we want to be loved the way we love. *Shakes head in confusion* Right. My thinking about that has led to see that that circle has the potential to be, well, a bit selfish. It puts a big expectation on the other person/people. "Hey, you! I'm gonna love you like this. I hope you like it, but I'm not really gonna change if you don't. Oh, and can you love me the same way in return?" That doesn't sound right to me.

A friend of mine has been challenging me to look at the ways I love. If you've ever been a close friend with me, you can attest (and maybe set up a support group for yourselves) to how, um, intensely I love. Pretty much I go hard or go home. Eventually I settle down. But usually the settling comes after a bunch of me getting hurt. I love, love, love some more and then don't get it back, scare someone off and end up confused and lonely.

That was quite the little pity party up there, but still true. There are few people who've been able to ride the wave for very long. The challenge from the friend mentioned above was to figure out new languages of love, for the sake of me and my friends. How can I love without swinging around out on the limb? How can I figure out, intuit, listen, observe, how to love my friends how they want to be loved? I feel God is in there somewhere, or more specifically the Holy Spirit - how do let the Holy Spirit move me in ways of love that best suit the needs of my friends?

I guess we'll see.

Progress Report #1

I thought as part of being accountable I should let you know how the whole out-working is going.

Week One: Good and great and full of legalism, thought I could conquer the world.

Week Two: A little more tired. Discovered that if I started the workout too much after 4:30 then pre-dinner light headedness would occur.

Week Three: Didn't enter the gym - wasn't in this part of the province for one of the work out days - need to learn how to deal with a week that lacks all regularity.

Week Four: Back on the horse again.

Week Five: The routine is getting a bit easier. Added a few more aspects to the ab workout.

Let's Do The Time Warp Ag-aaain!

I had a time warp today. Picture this: Brian Van Oosten, Brian Van Doren, Erin Goheen and me standing and talking to each other in the main foyer of Redeemer.

Upon me pointing it out Bun exclaimed, "Welcome to 2002!"

Eschatology

I hope there is no email in heaven.

Random Fact

Majel Barrett Roddenberry - aka the computer voice from Star Trek (TNG and onward) - aka Deanna Troi's Mom, was in two episodes of Bonanza as well as one episode of The Lucy Show.

update - she was also in one episode of Leave It To Beaver. and i swear i read that she was in General Hospital too. wow.

Remembering

I was just (seasonally appropriately) thinking about remembering; about remembering the dead. And more specifically about how remembering keeps the dead alive. You're going to be disappointed if you are looking for conclusions and not just wisps of thought streams. I guess one the things I was just sort of connecting in my head was the difference or the similarities in remembering the fallen from conflict and remembering loved ones that have passed away (or in some cases these are the same).

I've buried a few friends in my time. One of them was in high school. I've written about him before. His name was Aaron Van Vark. He died when we were in grade 11. I haven't forgotten him, he influenced my life. And I feel that in a small way that because I remember him, that I am helping to keep him alive (but not in an unhealthy way). A year ago this past weekend my friend Crystal Williams was killed. We grew up together, I remember her. I feel like she should still be alive.

This was veterans week and climaxed with Remembrance Day. I was honoured to sing O Canada and God Save the Queen at the WRF - Leadership Lessons From Vimy Ridge on Friday night. To hear a bit about war and conflict past and present always hits me. And sometimes I feel that every time it chokes me up a bit, or that I remember that I can parade around the world with a Canadian Flag sewn on me and be welcomed, well that I am remembering all of these people that I have never met and never will meet, and the gifts they have given to me.

I struggle with knowing if the gifts of my beloved friends are different, worth more, worth less, worth the same, comparable at all, etc with the gifts of these soldiers and military personnel. Regardless, these gifts cherished, valued and treasured.

In Serious Need

I just really feel that I have a serious need for a Sugar Daddy, or really a hard core committed Sugar Momma. Though Daddy just seems more natural. And I think I have brought this subject up more than once.

I was just thinking about how I'm singing in front of a bunch of people tonight and would love to look nice. But due to weight fluctuations and budgetary matters, well I have a hole in my wardrobe called Fall/Winter dress clothes. If only I could attract the sugar like my brother does. He attracted generous Sugar that liked Banana Republic. Yeah... that's good Sugar.

Whatever, I'm Western and gr/n-eedy. (But for reals, if there's going to hors d'oeuvres and a keynote, I should look nice.)

You Should Probably Come To This...

(side note, you may here this a lot over the next 6 weeks - actually check the links - there is good stuff coming up)

So yeah, you should come to this. I'll be there.

Leader Bean

Sometimes I feel that every time I have to lead something I take a year off my life.

My Three Jobs

Well, you may have noticed the lack of garden or outdoor talk in my posts recently. Or maybe its the mentions of cleaning Aug Hall. But after the first week of October I got three jobs here at the school. I am the helper monkey for the Theatre and Music departments and do a little bit of work for Janitorial. Anything to make the bills get paid.

For the Music dept I have been and am doing a lot of work in and with the choral library. I'm currently done about a quarter of databasing the whole thing. And then generally just doing things that Dr. T asks me to, like procure things from the registrars office or call people/places for tour.

For the Theatre dept I am production managing the mainstage for the semester as well as doinag lots of other little departmental things like updating display cabinets, organizing a trip to the Shaw or putting together some stuff for one of the profs.

Janitorial is pretty cut and dry. Jon Stumm and I clean the hallways and entranceways (and such) of Augustine Hall twice a week.

That is how I pay (or try) to pay the bills. It would likely be more possible if I didn't have schoolwork or ministry stuff - oh the tension - ministry doesn't pay the bills, so i have to give attention to things that do.

Now you know.

Peace

I've been doing a little thinking this week about peace and its relation to me.

You'll recall on Monday I was singing for the NYFC dessert reception. When I got there for my sound check I got a nice hug from my friend Sarah and then went on with what I was doing. Later in the evening Sarah and I were talking and she said when I got there she thought "Oh good, Laura's here, everything will be fine." She went on to explain that the fineness of the evening was not hinging on my arrival for sound check or even my presence, but the feeling of my being there put her at ease.

This is not the first time she has mentioned something like this. My friend Hope has the same reaction and says that there is often almost an aura of peace around me - she has seen it when I am with children.

Sometimes I really wrestle with this. I am more than aware of my sway with the dynamic of a group of people and my ability to take all decorum and toss it out the window with one action. Sometimes I forget exactly how much weight I have to swing around in that capacity, but I am aware that its there. But I usually view this weight and this decorum smashing ability to be the antithesis of peace - I rile people up. And I know that in times of stress where there is pressure and responsibility on me, I spin. I spin hard. My friends from NYFC will attest to that. So will my CITB friends, etc, etc. So if I'm spinning so hard how can I bring peace?

Personally I feel even just in my life there is a general lack of ...tranquility - I dare not say peace for fear of that being read as being outright in disobedience to the will of God. There is usually drama, stress, attacks, etc. Most times I don't feel like I'm radiating peace.

Now, this is not to say that I am trying to destroy an observation from some people I love. So I have tried to think about the peace that passes through me and I guess I could sort of see that. Maybe more like I am a very cracked vessel for peace. Because I know with children I would much rather just sit with them or help them fall asleep then play with them. And yeah, I don't have a problem (in fact I enjoy) simply sitting with an anxious friend and playing with their hair and praying over them while they fall asleep or just get some respite. I like to eat with people and have some real chat - does peace emanate from that? I don't know.

The comment section is (almost) always open. Wrestle with me.

Love

Typical Stew

Yesterday after the OCSTA conference was over, Katrina popped by the Choral Library to see me. We were talking for a little while and she asked what my weekend was like. As I was going over what Sunday and Monday looked like I realized a conflict and then began to verbally work it out. Kurt then looked at me, looked at the time and then simply reached out and hugged me and said, "I don't think your life will ever not be busy." We laughed and then she had to go.

Give yourself a pat on the back right now if you've had a similar conversation with me.

Give yourself a little hug if you're still friends with me after multiple conversations like this.

Give yourself breakfast in bed and a foot massage if you love me in spite of it.

Stuck For Halloween?

Are you stuck for a costume idea for Halloween? Try this and you're sure to be the light of the party.

What Are You Doing Monday, Monday Night?

If you live East of the GTA and you like dessert, music and helping people then you might want to come to the Northumberland Youth For Christ dessert reception and coffeehouse. The coffeehouse is featuring the likes of Shamus Hannah, Jim and Sharon Connor, Christine Moss and well, me. Its the first gig I've done in a good while. I'll be doing a mix of covers, my own stuff and a hint of worship tunes.

This all goes down Monday, October 29th. From 7:30-9:30pm at the Best Western in Cobourg. The cost in 20$ per person.

My parents will be there, I will be there, Marie and Justin are thinking about making an appearance - so maybe you could too.

And Once Again Legalism Has Spoiled A Good Thing

For the past 4 years the Concert Choir has sung at the Warplane Heritage Museum Remembrance Day service. Its always powerful. Its always touching. We are the first choir to have been asked to sing in consecutive years. It is a great honour to be asked to sing at it. And it is a small thing we can do to honour veterans and current service personnel.

This year November 11th falls on a Sunday. That's right, up/op/ob Sondag. And because of the 'uncomfortableness' of some people both in and out of the choir with the choir (or more, certain individuals) singing in the morning, on a Sunday, we are not singing in the service this year.

That paragraph may have just opened a conservative reformed can of worms that is about to indignantly crawl all over me - but let me say this first - it is not about a willingness to keep the Sabbath holy, it is not about a lack of willingness to be away from home churches. For me it is about a lack of flexibility for this particular day.

I'm just gonna throw this out there - our military veterans did not have comfortable options about how they were going to spend their Sunday. So I just wonder if we can't step out of the norm and honour them with something that makes us a little uncomfortable.

Let the very well worded lambasting of me begin...

I'll Probably Go Down The Aisle To This - Heads Up Dad!

Good Try Though

Redeemer is the land of self improvement. And this extends to the building itself. There are constantly little things being made better - dorm windows, paving things, etc. Currently there are some renovations being done in the center foyer/A stairs/stairs area. The area known as 'the couches' was recarpeted and the carpet at the bottom of the stairs has been turned to tile to match the tile on the floor. There are also new couches and chairs (though I'm still not sure what was wrong with the old ones as they were only a couple years old, but the new stuff does look very nice and is veeeerry cushy and comfy... anyway).

Nearing the completion of this renovation everyone was sent an email from campus services outlining what had been changed. Apparently this also included the name of the area. This area is supposed to be called "The Commons" now and even in the email it said The Commons (formerly known as the Center Foyer). I'm not gonna lie, this got me a little riled up. Why does campus services get to rename part of the school? And why The Commons. While sitting at The Couches this week, I discussed this and people said they'd be willing to start calling it The Commons if things (aka food) were actually sold in The Commons area (Mac's food court has Commons in its name). Perhaps it was also decided that The Commons sounds like a kissing disease - "Oh man I've got The Commons!" "You were kissing Klaas again weren't you?" "Yeah, its true. Just don't tell my parents I got The Commons". There would also be a willingness to call it The Commons if there were some end tables to set things on in The Couch area (currently there is just the arms of the leather furniture - ok, if thats where you want us to rest our drinks). Possibly also the idea of having a mini-tramp built into the floor at one point and the accompanying St. John's ambulance booth.

I also decided I would be willing to start calling it The Commons, if I was able to rename other parts of the building. Example - Rename the main office, Fred. "Well, if you go down to Fred and talk to Jane she should be able to help you." Or, "Cheques can be dropped off to Zach Pillings in Fred."

Likely though, this attempt at a name change will fall to the dust like the well intentioned naming of the 3 parking lots - Luther, Calvin and Cranmer Courts will forever be known as First, Second and Third Parking Lots.

Vomit

"You see the power in that face? And those eyes, its like you're squinting, but its an open squint."
- Tyra Banks

An open squint?

Handy Tip

If you live in Aug Hall and you take the stairs on a Tuesday or Thursday afternoon, and you notice there is a sweaty woman vacuuming those stairs, you should make lots of noise while you are coming up behind her. Otherwise you may frighten her, which could cause her to poop in her pants or fall backwards down a flight of stairs. Both are not good.

That is your tip for the day.

Saving Money For New Pants

Some of you long time readers may remember that I am broken. And by that I don't mean in the spiritual sense (though there is always that too :| ), but that my back sucks. If you are a current in-the-flesh friend, especially one with strong hands then you likely hear me bitch about my back, legs, butt and solicit your strength to alleviate the worst of the pain. Its been like this for a few years and you'd think that my Mom's multiple surgeries, the injections she gets in her spine for pain management or the fact that most of her conditions are genetic might push me into action to build up core muscles, drop extra weight and just make things better for my body. You might think that. But you'd be wrong if you did.

I started a rehab program today (for my back, you jerks - you're just gonna have to live with all that other stuff). Its a build up my core, drop that extra weight that sits in my 'here' and save myself from surgery or explosion (when I try to have kids) program.

What prompted this you might ask? Women's fastpitch. I want to return to women's fastpitch. I'm not asking for PWSA Tier I or anything. I realize that I have to ease back into that windmill with a hop. I know I've been away from competitive ball for a long time so I'm gonna be rusty. But man, watching Chelsea play last month may have moved me to tears because I miss that game so much. May have. So I want to play competitive ball next summer and I can't be a chubby, broken women to play it (well).

I enlisted the help of one of the Phys Ed profs at Redeemer to help me set some realistic goals, and to help with the know-how. 'Cause I really didn't know what I needed to do to build things up, pare things down, and tone things around. I got the help, the routine has been worked out. I'm getting a how to use scary machines review later this week and well, I'm doing it.

I figured if I blogged about it, it might bring up some accountability. So you have permission to ask me about it. Ask me how its going, where my struggles are, where the victories have come, etc. Oh, and even though I'm working out and such, you can still take me out for Big Macs, pizza, cheesy bread, and buffalo chicken fingers. Its ok. I promise.

An Important Message From the DFO

nataliedee.com

So There!

Washley (in response to something said on America's Next Top Model): So let that be a lesson you to you!

Andrew Marting (to me): Yeah Laura. I want to see you take those lessons and bring them to the ball diamond next summer.

Me: (dumb look)

Christmas Gift

"This essential field guide for all things Reformed offers a blend of tongue-in-cheek humor and easy-to-read insight—and ensures that we don't take ourselves too seriously! Organized into "Church Stuff," "Everyday Stuff," and "Bible Stuff," this new handbook encapsulates essential principles of the Christian life and uses humor to make the complexities of our religious tradition accessible to all."

I for serious want this as a Christmas gift. I'm not sure if there is a more appropriate gift for someone in my position.

In Honour Of The Day

(be sure to listen to the song sung in the background during the campaign. it may be the best part)

The Current Storm

There is a thunderstorm happening right now. I'm quite sure it is doing little for wedding preps.

But from the 7th floor view, this thing is magnificent. The last two thunder/lightening strikes set off car alarms. Everything really echoes up here because we are a big wall for sound to bounce off of, but also because there is another apartment building near by.

Wow.

Its A Musical Day

Some interesting (at least in my mind - which I do not in any way declare as a normative one) things about music in my day today...

I spent 4ish hours in the choral library today. You can now move in there, but you cannot pick up one of about 150 of Marianne Vogel's business cards.

After work the lovely Mrs. Chelsea Laarman and I attended Janet Obermeyer's contribution to the Great Romantics Festival. This was um, consummate. As a vocal student I find myself in awe of the space that Janet is able to create within her mouth - the whole hard and soft palette thing. Anyway, it was delicious. When Janet was done Chelsea and I were exiting the concert area and who did we spy in the back, but Valerie Tryon. Maybe we (and by we, I really mean me - though I'm sure you already knew that) fussed a bit over her. I said something to the effect of being from Redeemer and needing to get her to sign the program along with the other Redeemer peeps performing (Valerie and Janet teach lessons at RUC - plus Dr T was a performer in this festival too - ps, does anyone else have a problem typing festical instead of festival?). Chelsea and I left with our hearts aflutter and our brains full of vocal technique wonderment.

Now tonight I learned how to sing in Russian (I'm pretty sure its not Ukrainian, but I could be wrong). Dan and Mira's wedding is tomorrow afternoon. And in true fashion to pretty much any wedding I have been a part of, the music has had to come together at the last minute. So about a dozen of us learned a Russian song tonight. Its a nice anthem. Very pretty. While we were rehearsing I was reminded of rehearsing for Brian and Jenn's wedding which was around this time last year. For their wedding a very similar group of us was singing in Dutch. Russian, Dutch, what is it with my friends? I decided that I'm getting a choir together to sing some UEL hymn for my wedding.

And that was my musical day. Don't let it slip away.

The Downfalls/Benefits Of Having An Art Major As Your Best Friend

Bondage and Freedom

I heard a great sermon on Labour Day weekend about rest. I won't summarize it for you, but if you're really interested you can find it here.

The result of having heard this sermon is a lot of thought on true sabbath rest and what I can do to set up for it.

The result of that is this: I am now laptop free on Sundays.

I had to bend it a little for the first CITB service day, but otherwise it has been quite successful. Yesterday was the 3rd week into this experiment/project/life change.

So if you want to get a hold of me on a Sunday don't look for me online. Call my home, call my cell or drop by.

I'll keep you updated on how this goes and how it changes things for me.

Sometimes...

...you and 2 bus loads of Redeemer peeps go to the Jays and D-Rays game last night. Sometimes it is a very fun night.

Highlights may include:

• the burning smell of rubber as our bus navigated through traffic
• missing the first inning due to traffic
• sitting very close to the field
• so close in fact that we could practically touch the right fielders
• relentlessly heckling Delmon Young - and having him respond
• Blue Jay pitchers getting enough strike outs that we all get pizza
• having great friends to cheer with
• and....
• having your best friend, who was sitting/falling/standing right beside you...
• CATCH A FOUL BALL!!!!!!
  

Its Hard To Be A Princess

I have a filthy habit that I need to confess to. Since last week myself and 6-10 other females have gathered together on Wednesday nights to...watch America's Next Top Model. Its a guilty pleasure that gives me a work out for my heart. Mostly because I almost have a heart attack (out of rage and outcry) every time Tyra Banks opens her mouth.

This may not be the first time I've had this habit - and as a result I can say that there are a lot of criers on this season of ANTM. A lot. Like every 5 minute we see a skinny girl in tight jeans making snot bubbles. We astute watchers of this program thought it was getting to be a little much. Thus I am keeping a tally of the weekly criers and the criers overall (minus the season premiere) here on my blog - right in between the Time Warp and the Archives. Look for it late Wednesday or Thursdays for the remainder of the season.

So True

This just killed me this morning.


marriedtothesea.com

Sometimes...

...its hard to say good bye to your only sibling for an indefinite amount of time.

Tourney Champs

B Division


(L-R)
Standing: Brad, Tom, Randall, Jaclyn, Dan, Jon
Kneeling/bending: Gerry, Eric
Sitting/laying: Chelsea, Kevin, Laura

Highlights:

• actually being asked to play
• playing 3rd base and throwing 2 guys out from my knees
• hitting a triple and then coming home on the throwing error
• actually getting to play ball with my best friend
• personally threatening to murder Brad Klein-Geltink
• raising money for John Calvin Christian School (Guelph) and Woodland Christian High
  

Tonight, Tonight, There's Only You Tonight

Or maybe there are a lot of other people.

Anyway, 2nd round of the playoffs. Tonight. 8pm. Here.

If we win we go to the championship game.

You should come. Bring a lawn chair - we wear red shirts.

CITB

(Talking like a robot) Earthlings, Church in the Box is this Sunday at 7pm in the Redeemer Auditorium. The current scheduled speaker is Urban Promises' Colin McCartney. The offering will be going to the Sierra Leone Literacy Project. You should come.

End transmission.

The Fam

So this weekend was the last time the four of us would be together until, well, we don't know when. John is moving to Whistler at the end of the month and likely won't be home for Christmas, and yeah, it could very well be summer before we see him again. That kinda makes me sad in my heart. But I'm excited for him and the adventures that are in front of him and his girlfriend Hayley.

In honour of us being together some pictures were commissioned. This is one of my favourites. Some explanation: Mom has a little habit of being the only one with her eyes closed. So we decided to reverse the effect!

And thus I give you, The Family Stew:



I love us a lot!

Dear Boys Downstairs

Dear Boys in the apartment below,

It may sound sick, but I generally like the smell of cigarettes. But I wonder what brand you guys are smoking, because all the smoke, all the time, smells reeeeeaaaaalllly gross. Similar to a rain soaked sweat shirt that was worn while an entire pack was smoked, three days ago. Like gross.

I'm just sayin' is all. Maybe you should smoke better cigarettes. Or, don't smoke at all. That's cool too.

Ok, I'm sure we'll talk later, probably about loud music, poker nights, the fact that the entire building knows you have a beer tap on your fridge, or your passionate love for baseball.

Have a nice day,

Laura

Do You Have Testicles? (This is not a dirty question, its just a body part people.)

Do you have testicles, attend Redeemer University College (i can't wait for this sentence to come up in a Google search!), can carry a tune in a bucket, sing in a not super low fashion? If you answered yes to these questions then the Redeemer University College Concert Choir needs YOU!

[insert picture of Dr T looking like Uncle Sam and pointing at you, here]

For real though, if you're a male RUC stud(ent) and you have ever thought about joining the choir, this is the time for you. We need tenors. We are so desperate that I, Laura Stewart, a mezzo-soprano am singing first tenor. So you see the need here.

Some reasons/benefits to joining the choir:

1. so man lovely ladies
2. some pretty cool dudes
3. a tight knit community that will support you in prayer and in deed
4. singing music that could change your heart for the better
5. singing music that could make you cry (see #4)
6. travel - we go on tour
7. becoming a waaaay better musician
8. so much laughing
9. Chris and Rebecca Teeuwsen
10. Soup and Buns - everywhere we go and they are always great
11. a chance to learn other languages - we sing in Latin, French, German, Spanish...
    
12. a chance to star in tour videos
13. friendships that will last for the rest of your life
14. alumni choir
15. any time we sing Handel you get an ab work out
16. corporate worship in many different styles
17. being a shiny jewel in the Redeemer crown - we sing for anything they want to look and sound good
18. a chance to make soprano jokes
19. singing with an orchestra will knock much more than your socks off
20. you get to see me at least 3 times a week!

Seriously - there is 20 reasons why you and your tenor self should be contacting Dr. Teeuwsen right now!

Ok. Go. I'll see you in 125G!

Things I Love

Over the past couple of days I have been reminded of two things that I love...

I'm a pretty decent singer. And I love to sing. But I love when I'm worshiping with enough people that I can't hear my own voice. That I can be singing my lungs out and my voice just drowns and blends in the worship of others. Mmmm. I love that.

I also love women's competitive fast-pitch. I also love having a best friend who also loves it. Love, also love.

Update

So continue to live. Though I'm not going to lie. I a)may have pushed myself a little too hard over the past couple of days and that has lead to b)feeling kinda crummy. But thus far my schedule has kind of allowed me to push and push and then crash and crash. I'm sure I'll be fine soon. Right? Thanks for your concern and your love.

Guess What I Did?

I posed this question to Natalie and after she heard the answer she said the question was phrased wrong for the answer. The answer is, I got stung. But she said that since the stinging was the action and I didn't do it then its not really what I did. So I guess a better answer would be, I stood there and allowed a bee to sting me. Which isn't really true either as I didn't know it was going to sting me until after it did.

Anyway. Yeah, I got stung and let me tell you, the system works. And by system I mean a year's worth of shots. I was putting a gas can back together and BAMN, something hurty was in and out of my left arm (why is it always lefty, poor lefty). I dropped the gas can nozzle and swore. The proceeding burning and pain led me to believe that I had not simply been attacked by a deer fly. The redness and raised bump without me even touching the area may have tipped me off too.

Fortunately my boss was close by to help me take a look at it tell me that I was allowed to take a Benadryl and go home. Which I did. My hands were shaking a little hard to maneuver the pill bottle, but it got done. I spent the afternoon in bed feeling funky and being nursed by Chelsea (thank you John for bringing her over). Things didn't turn out too bad. I was kinda out of it, my chest was kinda tight and I was kinda phlegmy. Lets just say I didn't feel good. But no trip to the hospital and no epi-pen. Though I'm not going to lie, I'd really have to be fighting for breath to take the epi-pen, because that stuff is crazy.

I had a good (if not drug induced) sleep. Which was nice as the other post-sting side effects were starting to kick in - the body itch and the joint pain and the headache. But I'm pretty ok this morning. Still tired and just not tip top. But praise the Lord, I survived. He still has plans for me.

Supply and Demand

So no less than 3 of you have personally approached me and asked for pics of Sarah and Tom's wedding. And since I posted the postcard that I got from them yesterday, I thought it would be a good time to throw up a few shots.

Ici, le wedding...

Sarah just before taking the plunge.
Sarah and Ferd, taking a stroll
Ew. Kussen.
Sisters, sisters...
The first dance. Look at those grins.

Tiny Gripe

I wish the whole of Redeemer was like you guys, that they read my blog. Then I wouldn't have to be explaining things all the time.

I think I had 500 conversations yesterday that went like this:

Random RUC Person: Hey, Laura Stewart! Its good to see you!

Me: Its good to see you too!

RRP: So, you're all graduated eh?

Me: Um, nope.

RRP: You're not?

Me: Nope. I'm back for one class each semester.

RRP: (puzzled look as they try and figure out if I'm dumb or just pathetic for not doing the classes in one semester and finally getting out)

Me: (looking at them while they think this, wondering if I could make their brain explode by telling them that I only need first semester's class to graduate)

RRP: Cool, well I guess I'll see you around eh?

Me: Yup.

So yeah, maybe you've been away or something, or maybe i haven't clearly communicated this - I am back for the whole year. You'll remember that I am the chair of CITB this year. That means I have to be a student for the whole year. There. Now you know. Oh how this won't clear up anything.

Milestones, Not Just A Restaurant Any More

Guess what this is?



Yup. Who'd a thunk that way back in January of aught four I'd be making this milestone. 1000 pieces of narcissism up here on the world wide interweb for all to see.

For every post be assured that there is one other post that was brilliantly thought up while I was in the car, out for a walk, pretending to listen in class, etc, etc, that were forgotten before I could find a computer. Just imagine if I had been able to write all of those down too! Wow.

I had wanted to make this a much bigger deal - 'cause there is a special announcement coming down the tubes (toobs) but I just haven't had enough time to refine some of it, and I want it to be really special for you guys. So I'm compromising this milestone for what may prove to be an even bigger one.

I'd like to thank the many faithful readers all over the world. I'd especially like to thank people who comment. Its the commenters who keep me going on the tough days. You know who you are. Thank you.

I feel like I should leave you with a nice picture...hmmm Ok...I looked around. This is my favourite cupcake in the world. Sarah Moerman made it for me. It has blue icing because she made me blue icing. She made me pretty cupcakes with blue icing because she loves me. So this picture is not just a delicious cupcake, but it is also love.

Lookin' For Something To Do?

If you're looking for something to do tonight you could come and watch myself, Dan Postma, the newly married Brian Van Dooren, Sams Martin and many more, play some ball.

The aforementioned ball takes place here:


View Larger Map

Parking is on or just off of Strathcona St.
The game starts at 6:30pm.
We wear red shirts and this week are on the diamond closest to King St.
Bring a lawn chair for yourself.

Busy?

So this summer has been more than averagely busy for me. How busy you ask? Well... If you have ever lived with me or been around shortly after I have moved you will know that I decorate my walls forsaking all other and more practical things.

I moved into this place on August 1st. Last night, the evening of August 28th, I put the first two things on any wall of the apartment. And they weren't even decoratey things. They were practical things. A cork board and my dry erase calendar. Man, oh, man.

Side note - my lovely roommate becomes a part of Canadian television history today. And she may take one of my sweaters with her!

Traffic Is Fun

Welcome

Welcome to the blogging world one overseas blogger and one soon to be overseas blogger:

Amanda Van Halteren in Honduras

and

Evan Haas soon to be in Australia


clap, clap, clap, clap

Um What?

Ok, so I'm just kind of lounging today as I recover from so much good work done at the retreat (more about that later - maybe). And due to our current tv/cable situation we only get a few channels. Currently I'm watching abc. When I started watching, the show NBA Access was on. One of the little features they showed was about the San Antonia Spurs and their homecoming as the 2007 NBA champs. One of the things that they said over and over was that the fans were so great, and really behind their team and that was because the Spurs are the only professional team in San Antonio. I thought that was interesting and that it made sense.

NBA Access ended and a WNBA playoff game came on. They started talking about the various teams. Turns out that there is a WNBA team in San Antonio. Now, I'm no expert on sporting. BUT, I am pretty sure that WNBA players get paid. I also feel that basketball is a sport. So that would make them professional athletes and that would make the San Antonio Silver Stars a professional team. And therefore the Spurs are not the only professional team in the city of San Antonio.

I'm just sayin' is'all.

Special Mention

Special mention to Beth's postcard as it is/was the first piece of real mail to be received at the new place.

On the Road Again

Why would I ruin my August by staying put for a weekend? Silly.

Anyway...As of Friday lunch I'm off for the Church In the Box leadership planning/visioning retreat. It promises to be good work, fun and eating. I should know, I just bought all the food. Mmmm. So that means no blogging until Sunday. I'm sorry. But I'm going to leave you with three pieces of random narcissism. Ok?


Me and my mane after a day at work. (notice the view from the balcony in the background)


Me bare-handing a ball about to make a play at the plate.


Me gussied up for Sarah and Tom's weddin'.

A Burning Question

This question came to mind while cutting away dead leaves at work.

Do you think if the movie version of Chicago had come out before the movie version of Evita, that Catherine Zeta-Jones would have played Eva Perron?
	Yes
	No
	Definately no because my Mother would be playing her.
	Obvi
Free polls from Pollhost.com

My New Friend

So this post begins an ongoing series on urban high-rise living. It will chronicle my thoughts on living in an apartment building and my personal and very gradual transition to very urban living.

Thus we begin with Irwin.

This is Irwin.


Irwin has decided that he is going to permanently hang out on my bbq. Every time I have been out on the balcony in the past few days Irwin has been there. He is pretty quiet so I don't know he is sitting there and then bam! I see him and he scares the s-h-i-t out of me (if you look closely at the picture it seems i do the same to him!)! I have a little phobia of birds. Just a little one. But once I realize its Irwin we talk a little bit and then I go inside.

I feel that Irwy (or sometimes Erween-gah) and I have many good times ahead; eating popsicles, having deep conversation, back rubs and pooping on the ground. Awww.

The Lines Between Danger, Bravery and Stupidity

Apparently its bee season. I didn't know. I probably should know. But I don't.

Apparently there are more bees on the 10 acres I'm working on this year than the 50 city blocks I was working last summer. And by working I mean of course....gardening.

I had Sarah's camera with me and while I was mulching the other day, and I decided to take a picture of all the above ground bees* (*a loose term for anything bee-like or that seems like it could be more than averagely harmful to me) that I would pass with my wheelbarrow going to and from the garden I was mulching.

Here are the results:


Courtyard


Rock garden


Rock garden


Rock garden


North East corner of the barn

There are also 5 underground Park N Flys that I know about too. Those are the ones that almost get me into trouble. I usually don't know they are there until the bees start flying into my head as I am sitting/kneeling/standing/existing directly in their flight path.

Thus far no stinging and I'm not forced to work directly in danger. Which is nice. I like that.

Oh bees.

Best Thing

So you may recall that my birthday was at the end of June. Not too far after the day I went home to celebrate with my family. This is a picture of the best gift I received.



Now, its not actually for bank heists. Its a hair band with a bandanna already attached and at the end of the bandanna is bits of hair extension. Versatile and sexy.

Please contact me if you wish to borrow it for your wedding, bat mitzvah, or retirement party.

This Too Shall End

The internet (with phone) returns on Saturday. I'm heading to the Ottawa valley for Sarah and Tom's wedding. And oh man, when I get back there is going to be such an onslaught of blogging. I have a lot of time to think at work and therefore a lot of blog ideas and oh man guys, I have so much to catch you up on. There are a million photo essays to do - more New York, heck more birthday, this wedding, baseball, my new place, plus the aforementioned bridal post and the girl band post. Everything has been brewing in my head.

Thank you for your patience. Some of you have expressed in person or by email that you will be happy to see regular posting resume. So will I baby, so will I. You had better hope that next week is a light work week 'cause you're going to have to spend a lot of time on here catching up with my life, its gonna be like 3-a-day posts. Oh wait, I mean, you better hope you don't have a lot to do in the evening, because I know none of you read this while you are at work because I have a site meter that tells me how many hits I'm getting and when and bosses everywhere, there are none during the 8am to 6pm range. Yes, everything is in the evening, noone reads this during the day. Cough. Sorry, allergies.

Ok, I'm back outside to keep filling drought cracks with soil. A special and very large thanks to my boss for letting me use her husband's computer all this week. She is a fellow internet/email/communication addict. And really, I think she felt that the cold sweats, shakes and possibly that I was passing out in the middle of the lawn due to lack of internet, was really taking a chunk out of my productivity. So really, it was in her best interest to help a sister out. Anyway, thanks Yvonne for helping to stave off death and other terrible things!

Camera

HEY! do you have a more than averagely decent camera i can borrow for the weekend? let me know asap if you do.

No Lie

Thoughts

Can you imagine how gross it would be if instead of panting, dogs sweat through their skin?

Bye

I'll miss you. I do miss you.

Still Alive - I Promise

Though, i did turn my alarm off in my sleep, have outlook tell me that despite the over 3000 emails that I know I have in my hotmail inbox - that there were 0, have my ipod headphonse quit and get bit by an ant on my bum.

But I'm still alive, my boss let me use her husband's computer during lunch and a rain delay, the unpacking is coming along, and Jesus loves me. So its alll good.

Not Yet

Hey, I'm still gonna be at least another 6 days without phone or internet, so email use is patchy at best (the Yanks post came from using the internet at RUC). So if you email me and I don't respond as quick as usual its because I can't get a signal strong enough to get my email checked, let alone responded to. Also, if really, actually need to get a hold of me, call the cell. Ok? You gots it?

Its not like I'm around too much anyway - tomorrow evening I gots John's rescheduled playoff game in B-ford, Thursday is my ball night, Friday is saying good-bye to Amanda :( , Saturday is Bun and Kenny's weddin' :) and Sunday is Stratford with Chels. So really, six days will be over before we know it, and patchy blog posts about unpacking and a lack of the communication tools I love best. We'll all be happy then. Yes we will.

This was exciting - getting a signal strong enough to send emails and check webpages. I hope we all sleep tonight.

A Little Slice of Yankee Stadium

Jealous?

This is me checking this blog on an iPhone.



This is me about to make a call on an iPhone that was 'dial-in'. I ended up calling home and also calling Felix - I knew he would drool.



Pretty much they are so nice and pretty much the 4GB was 499USD. Mmmmm.

Some Highlights of Day 1 In NYC